a day at the ranch...

i went on a walkabout with my camera... here's a normal day in class!

kayley, trying not to smile... 

jodie, our science teacher flashes a winning smile as kennedy and shyloh take a test 

janaye LOVES the camera 

 sydney: busy at work!



taylor's story

a few thoughts from taylor's graduate speech:

“Before I came to Diamond Ranch Academy I was a mess. I lived my life only in anger, and my family and I were very broken. Diamond Ranch Academy changed my life, and saved it. At first I didn’t let it help me, then I started to try, and I began to change. My changes were gradual, and I still have on-going struggles, but for each struggle, I now have the tools to conquer a lot of things about me, but I am very happy with the end product and everything about me makes me feel that all my mistakes lows, and all the difficult times were really worth it. So much of me has changed, but I don’t feel alienated to myself. I feel like this is who I’ve always meant to be."

“Today I feel happy. I like me, and what’s better is other people like me too… It doesn’t feel like the world is on my shoulders anymore because I can laugh easily now and smiles and jokes aren’t hard to come by. I feel like I’ve lost a million pounds in my heart. Where anger used to control me I fought back, and now I control anger."

“Perhaps my greatest success has been the change between my family and me. When I was at home we couldn’t talk. .. Today we are a new family. We love each other dearly, and I can’t imagine hurting them again like I did before DRA. We create win-win situations to our problems where before it was my way only. We are a family again.”  



whoops!

a funny thing happened on the way to class...
here's how the story goes: i was in my office and heard a lot of laughter downstairs. someone said, "tayleigh!! bring your camera!!!" i went to see what was going on, and here's what happened!

somehow, kylie fell into the laundry bucket!
"i was just backing up and all of a sudden i was in there!"

we made her wait for a minute while we took advantage of the photo op

thanks for the laughs!

a trip to the theatre...

on the bus to...NARNIA!!

as part of their christmas gift, we took the girls to see Narnia today. it was awesome and received 29 enthusiastic thumbs up!

seasons greetings!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

with love,
whisper creek

twt

tuesdays with tayleigh!

for twt, we made a fort out of blankets... way fun! we sat around our christmas light "fire" and told our favorite memories of christmas. it was fun getting to know each of the girls better and see their creative minds at work as they constructed the fort! after dinner, we watched "a muppet's christmas carol" in our fort while we ate popcorn! good times!

chelsea's graduation

our most recent graduation was a huge success! i thought i'd share a little bit of the advice Chelsea had for the girls:

“Thoughout my stay here at diamond ranch, I’ve leaned and grown so much in just eight months… Early on I learned just how much I took for granted. Graduate level has by far been the most rewarding with finally having a set plan for myself for returning home and the opportunity to serve others. It has been a journey but I am finally happy with where I am and where I am going.”

“DRA has changed my life and I am so thankful for everything it has to offer and everyone involved. People care so much… I do not think I would be in the place I am now without the help and support you have given me. It really means a lot and I appreciate it more than you know.”

“Gratitude means a lot to me and has changed my outlook on life. Coming here I have learned to appreciate so much more… I know that everything happens for a reason and to just be happy with what you have rather than dwelling on the things you don’t have. Words cannot even describe how thankful I am for this program, the staff, the girls, and the opportunity to change.”

mr. potter...

for one of our holiday activities, we went off campus to watch harry potter. it was the girls' idea and it turned out to be way fun!

"we'll miss you, dobby!!"